Western Gardens

How to Prepare the Ground for your Garden

April 28, 2018 by Western Gardens

So you want to grow a vegetable garden? The first step is to prepare the ground for your garden. Growing a vegetable garden is like painting a room. The actual painting the room is the “fun” part. All the preparation before the roller hits the smooth wall is the most important part of painting a room. Washing, puttying holes, sanding, and priming the walls may seem tedious and unglamorous, but it is very important to create the ultimate finished nicely painted wall.

Preparing the ground for your vegetable garden is just as important as picking the fruits of your labor. You’ve come to the right place to get started. Welcome!

You can do it! Here are some steps to get you started in the wonderful world of gardening:

Start Small – You don’t want to bite off more than you can chew. It’s like a new exercise program. In the beginning you may be overwhelmed, tired, and want to quit. Start smaller. A plot of ground 8′ x 10′ is plenty big. You may want to just start with growing a few items in large planters (but there are some vegetables that don’t like the confinement of planters). Maybe just begin with a small strawberry bed. Sweet rewards await you. Find success with a little garden. You can always expand as you get the hang of it.
Choose a Sunny Location for a Vegetable Garden – Vegetables like sunlight. Most vegetables like 8-10 hours of sun in 24 hours. Trimming overgrown unwanted bushes or trees could be done to create more sunlight for your garden. If you are doing a flower bed, decide whether it will be for shade loving plants or full sun plants.
Clearing the Space – Now that you have your area chosen, it’s time to prepare the ground for your garden. Clear the ground of weeds, rocks, sod, etc. All you want is dirt! A shovel works well to dig up roots and to turn over your dirt. If you have sod, you can dig it up with your shovel, but be sure to shake off all the dirt from the roots of the pieces you lift. You don’t want to rob your garden of the awesome soil. You can throw the sod into a compost pile. Some people go to the expense of buying or renting a tiler to work up the soil and sod. Do what you can afford. The idea is to get the soil free from weeds, grass, rocks, roots, and other things to hinder your garden growth. You are “clearing the land” like our forefathers had to do.
Soil Preparation – Here along the Wasatch front in Utah, we have pockets of all types of soil. Just in the Salt Lake Valley alone, you could have very sandy soil that doesn’t hold the water well at all, or you may have clay, which holds the water too much and drowns the plants. Our ultimate goal is to have a good “loam” – a mixture of sand, clay, and good organic matter. Back to your soil – you must determine what type of soil you have. If you have very sandy soil, you’ll need to add amendments to the soil to get it more to the “loam” we are after. If you have more heavy clay soil (like mine), then you will need to amend the soil with different products, again to bring it to that balanced loam we seek. If you are not sure what kind of soil you have, take a gallon size baggie with about 2 cups soil from your garden plot and visit your local garden center like Western Gardens. Inquire of their garden experts and they can identify what type of soil you have. They will also identify what soil amendments you may need to add to your dirt. Lots of times it’s just needing to add more organic matter to the soil. They’ll tell you the method you should follow for your situation and your soil. You may just need to top dress your bed with some bags or a load of topsoil. But ask the garden experts and they’ll help you. They want you to be successful too.
Watering Method – You will want to at least know how you are going to water your first garden. To start off this year, you may just want to purchase a soaker hose to attach to your existing hose and faucet. Run the hose along your plants or seeds once they are in the ground. After you get the hang of gardening, you can invest in more elaborate watering methods. Watering with a hose from above could also be an initial plan. Just as long as your plants get the proper water needed, you should find success.

Now you are ready to plant! Easy-to-grow crops like onions, peas, beets, carrots, and zucchini are a great place to start, especially in small gardens. There are many vegetables that are easy and will save you money throughout the season. If you would like advice on the best vegetables to start with in your garden, and for what varieties work well in our Salt Lake climate, you can always stop by Western Gardens and talk to one of our helpful gardeners. Here is an article about Warm Season vs Cold Season Vegetables to plant, depending on when your soil is ready to plant up. They are always ready to help you with organic pest control suggestions, fertilizer recommendations, and their opinions for the best time to plant.

Also, this article from Gardener’s Path is very good and goes into more details. Planning and Planting Your First Vegetable Garden Check it out!

Pest Control – the Annoying Box Elder Bug

April 19, 2018 by Western Gardens

Boxelder bug on green leaf. CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY 2.5 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)]

By Tom Murphy VII on WikimediaCommons

Have you already found a boxelder bug inside your house this spring? They are often the first bug of spring, at least in my yard. Boxelder bugs (Leptocoris species) are very common over most of the United States. They are considered more of a nuisance than a destroyer.

Boxelder bugs are most numerous in areas where boxelder, silver maple, ash, and fruit trees grow. Their main source of food is from sucking the juice from the boxelder tree, which does not damage the tree. In the early spring, the female bugs lay their eggs on the bark of these trees. The new little hatchlings are called nymphs and are about ¼ inch long and have bright red wingless bodies with black legs. Nymphs congregate in mass, so it’s easy to spot them on the trunk of a tree, building foundation, or wherever. The young feed on tender twigs, foliage, pollen, and seeds through the spring and summer. Controlling the nymphs is easier than controlling the adults so watch this spring to get a jump on them.

Boxelder bug Nymphs & Adults – Photo by Viking6 at Wikipedia, CC by 3.0

The Boxelder bug adults grow to be about ½ inch long. They are red or black with reddish lines on their wings. In the fall, especially on bright sunny days, the bugs migrate to locations to hibernate through the winter. In the spring, they emerge to look for host trees so they can eat and lay their eggs, completing the cycle.

Photo by Bruce Marlin on WikimediaCommons

How to Control Boxelder Bug and/or Prevent their Annoyance

For home invasion prevention, keep sealed doors, windows, foundation cracks, around plumbing, gas, and electrical conduits. Weather strip around doors and windows plus screen off attic vents and repair broken windows and screens. Expanding-foam sealants may be helpful too.

Photo by Pixxl Teufel on Pixabay

Vacuum the bugs with a “shop” type vacuum, empty the vacuum and seal and dispose of the collected bugs, as they can live through the vacuuming process and will continue to creep around otherwise.

Photo by Jarmoluk on Pixabay

Avoid smashing the bugs. They don’t feed on fabric or furniture, but when crushed, they do stain household items. They also release a strong, unpleasant odor.

Photo by Took-a-Pic on Pixabay

Boxelder bugs, especially the nymphs, are easily drowned. When watering your plants with a garden hose, it’s also a good time to water-down congregations of bugs on buildings.
Reduce bug populations by removal of female boxelder trees. Realize that even if you don’t have a boxelder tree on your property, chances are great that there is a Boxelder tree nearby.

Boxelder trees are often called “trash” trees. They may seem pretty and provide shade, but there are many other better choices for shade.

Boxelder tree leaves

Boxelder bugs do not have many natural enemies. No major insects or birds like to eat them, probably because they can emit an offensive odor, which probably makes them taste bad too. Spiders could be considered a minor predator.
Chemical control of boxelder bugs is difficult because these bugs are tolerant of most insecticides. There are some residual insecticides that can be sprayed around the outside of the building. Oil based sprays can stain building surfaces, so try to control on the host plants, not the building. Be sure to check with your local independent garden center, like Western Gardens, to know the latest and best product recommended. Always follow current label instructions of any pesticide used, as label changes occur and must control application procedures. This or any other instruction must be adjusted/disregarded so application conforms to the current pesticide container label.
For an organic alternative to using synthetic insecticides. Mix about ½ cup laundry detergent with one gallon of water. Use a squirt bottle to spray the insects. There is no residual value so you must spray thoroughly and often.

Organic Solution

Resources: Thanks to Ortho Publications, Utah State Extension, Chuck Solomon, and G. Rex Buys of Western Garden Centers

Keep Kids Safe from Poisonous Plants and Pesticides – Part 1

April 14, 2018 by Western Gardens

As the first days of spring arrive, people are eager to get outdoors. Unfortunately, the outdoors can pose several dangers to children. Adults can keep kids safe from poisonous plants and pesticides by being aware of some basic knowledge and advice.

According to the National Capital Poison Center, the most poisoning occurs in children who are six or younger, including almost half of poisoning exposures. Though poisoning affects everyone from seniors to infants, it is most common in one- and two-year-olds.

In 2014, poisonous plants and pesticides were among the top 10 leading causes of poisoning in children younger than six years, accounting for nearly 6 percent of poisoning cases, while bites and stings accounted for 0.5 percent of poisoning cases among the same age group. Additionally, 2.5 percent of poisoning fatalities in children younger than six years from 2010-2014 were due to pesticides, making them one of the more dangerous causes of poisoning in children.

Parents and caretakers need to be informed about the dangers of poisonous plants and pesticides to keep children safe. Parents who know what to keep out of their yards and by teaching children what to avoid can prevent many poisonings by plants and pesticides.

What You’ll Find in This Guide:

Types of Poisonous Plants
How to Prevent Poisoning from Plants
What to Do If Your Child Touches or Eats a Poisonous Plant
Pesticide Safety
Resources for Preventing Poisoning by Plants and Pesticides

Vibrant larkspur is beautiful but poisonsous to eat. Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Pixabay

Types of Poisonous Plants

This section covers the more common types of poisonous plants found near backyards, parks, and trails.

Poisonous plants are categorized by the chemicals they contain. The most dangerous plants contain solanine, grayanotoxins and cardiac glycosides.

Solanine is found in food and ornamental plants such as Jerusalem Cherry, Nightshade, potato sprouts and unripe tomatoes. Unripe tomatoes and the green eyes of potatoes containing solanine, when ingested, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and moderate nausea. If children eat plants containing solanine in large quantities, drowsiness, sweating and changes in blood pressure and heart rate can occur. You may see effects within two to 24 hours, and diarrhea may last for three to six days.
Grayanotoxins are found in common yard plants including azalea and rhododendron. Lambkill and mountain laurel also contain grayanotoxins. If children eat or chew on leaves in this plant group, they may experience burning, numbness or tingling in their mouths. Within two to three hours, they may display other symptoms of poisoning such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, confusion and slowed heart rate. In severe cases of grayanotoxin poisoning, children have had seizures.
Cardiac glycosides are found in plants such as squill, Lily-of-the-Valley, foxglove, and oleander. Initial signs of cardiac glycoside poisoning include stomach pain, dizziness, confusion, headache or vomiting. Children who consume plants containing cardiac glycosides also experience a change in the rate or rhythm of the heart, and effects on blood pressure also may occur.

Other common poisonous plants include:

Poppies
Hemlock
Oak leaves and their acorns
Mistletoe
Elephant ear plants
Poison oak, ivy, and sumac
Hyacinths and daffodil
Larkspur
Black locust
Wisteria
Mistletoe

Daffodils are beautiful but to eat them is not good. Photo by Pixel2013 on Pixabay

Purple grape hyacinths is a poisonous plant

Little cute “grape hyacinths” are not grapes you want your children to eat. Photo by Couleur on Pixabay

Lily of the valley poisonous plant in the garden

Lily of the Valley are a gardener’s favorite, but remember to teach little people not to eat them. Photo by Soorelis at Pixabay

pink white and purple lupine standing very tall in the garden. poisonous plant

Lupine are so colorful and beautiful. However, they are not for consumption. Photo by Punch_Ra on Pixabay

How to Prevent Poisoning from Plants

This section includes tips for preventing children from being poisoned by plants. Parents should proactively teach their children to avoid eating plants or parts of plants. It’s also a good idea for parents of young children to avoid growing poisonous plants in their yards.

The most effective way to prevent poisoning is teaching children to not eat anything they find outside, regardless of whether or not it looks or smells good. Even if the birds are eating the berries, this doesn’t mean they are not poisonous for humans. Children should only eat plants or fruits from outside if they have your permission and after taking them in the house and washing them off. Try to practice what you preach, and don’t eat items from the family garden outside; tops of potato plants and green portions of potato contain solanine and rhubarb leaves which are poisonous.

To avoid accidental poisoning of children, keep berries, seeds, bulbs and plants out of reach. Try to avoid areas in parks that aren’t commonly used and areas that contain large amounts of plants. Additionally, while it may seem like a no-brainer, try to avoid decorating or landscaping with poisonous plants at home. Plants that have bright flowers and poisonous berries should be avoided until the children are older. The bright colors can be attractive to children, which can lead to ingestion. Also, remove all mushrooms that grow near your home and check your lawn for new mushrooms, especially during a wet and hot summer.

Making your yard and garden as safe as possible is the best course of action for preventing poisoning from plants. However, you don’t want to shutter your children off from being explorative. Providing safe areas where children can play and not be at risk of poisoning can be a great way to promote imagination. When taking your children on wilderness adventures, be wary of potential hazardous plants along walkways and trails.

Keep Kids Safe from Poisonous Plants and Pesticides – Part 2

March 29, 2018 by Western Gardens

What to Do If Your Child Touches or Eats a Poisonous Plant

This section guides parents through the correct course of action should their child come into contact with or ingest a poisonous plant.

If any of these symptoms occur after your child touches or eats a poisonous plant or pesticides, call 911 immediately: choking, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing or difficulty swallowing. If your child is not experiencing these severe symptoms but has touched or eaten a poisonous plant, berry, seed, bulb, or mushroom, contact your local poison center immediately at 1-800-222-1222. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling. You should be prepared to give your child’s age, symptoms or illnesses, the names of plants consumed, if possible, how much and which parts were eaten, and how recently the plant was touched or ingested. The poison specialist will instruct you on what to do and which symptoms to look for in your child.

If you are somewhere you cannot immediately get assistance, do not ingest or put a plant in your mouth to check if it is poisonous. You should look for pieces of the plant in your child’s mouth and remove any that you can find. You should give him small sips of water but avoid attempting to make him vomit. If your child has a skin irritation, itching, rash or blisters, immediately rinse his skin with fresh water. Call your local poison center (1-800-222-1222) as soon as you have access to a phone line.

Flowers are like magnets to children. They love to pick and smell. Teach them not to eat anything from the yard. Photo by Ardi Evans on Unsplash

Poison Ivy grows in leaves of three. Do not touch poison ivy.

Poison Ivy is a poisonous plant you or your child do not want to even touch. Photo from WikimediaCommons

Poison oak in the fall is another gorgeous plant. Children may want to gather its leaves. Don’t touch!

Pesticide Safety

Spring and summer also bring out more pests, both inside and outside of the home. This section explores the risks pesticides pose to children and includes tips for using safer alternatives to toxic pesticides.

Early farmers spread pesticides with horses who were protected.

Crazy how the horses were somewhat protected from the sprays. Photo by Internet Archive Book Images on Flickr & Wikimedia Commons. No restrictions.

The National Pesticide Information Center makes it clear that all pesticides carry a level of toxicity and pose a risk to all people but especially to infants and children, who are more sensitive to the toxic effects of pesticides than adults. Because pesticides also pose a poisoning risk to children, it is critical that parents use pesticides responsibly.

If you do choose to use a pesticide, be sure to read the product label to ensure you use it correctly and apply it exactly as the label instructs. Look for the least-toxic pesticides available and store them in their original containers far out of the reach of children. It is critical that you keep your children and pets out of treatment areas while you apply pesticides and until treated areas dry. Children should wear shoes and sit on blankets or use other barriers between them and your lawn if it has recently been treated. When your children are finished playing, make sure they wash their hands with warm water and soap as soon as they enter your home.

The safest way to handle pests in gardens, yards, and homes is to use insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, and natural ingredients to keep them at bay. If you are looking for different forms of pesticides that can keep your family garden safe, as well as the food you grow in it, try these alternatives:

Vegetable oil mixed with mild soap for insects like aphids and mites
Mild soap mixed with water for insects like whiteflies, beetles, aphids, and mites
Neem oil mixed with mild soap and water to disrupt the life cycle of insects and to protect plants before they become infested
Diatomaceous earth as a natural pesticide
Pureed garlic mixed with vegetable oil, mild soap and water to act as an insect repellent
Garlic, onion, and cayenne pepper, mixed with liquid soap as a natural insecticide

If parents take steps to learn about how to protect their children from pesticide and plant poisoning, most poisonings could be avoided. However, accidents happen to even the most prepared, so it is important to always be ready to contact a poison control center or emergency services if a child ingests or comes into contact with poisonous plants and pesticides.

Keep Kids Safe from Poisonous Plants and Pesticides – Part 3 Resources

March 29, 2018 by Western Gardens

Resources for Preventing Poisoning by Plants and Pesticides

We have compiled a list of resources that you can contact or research to get more information on pesticides and poisonous plants. You will find locations and phone numbers, materials for learning and informational sites if you are interest in learning more about the subjects of this guide. Please note, they are listed in alphabetical order.

ASPCA Poisonous Plants is dedicated to informing people which plants are poisonous to pets and animals.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Poisoning Prevention focuses on providing tips to prevent accidental home poisonings, including those by pesticides and plants.

Clemson Cooperative Extension’s Home & Garden Information Center gives a thorough overview of poison ivy, a plant that commonly causes skin irritation in children.

Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center shares information about poisonous plants and lists both non-poisonous and poisonous plants in charts.

Penn State Extension Pesticide Education is a fun portal that allows families to learn about pesticide safety in a fun way.

Poison Control is the place to call when you suspect your child has ingested or touched a poisonous plant or pesticide. You can get help online or call 1-800-222-1212.

Poisonous Plants in the Home Landscape is a publication by Montana State University professor of horticulture R.E. Gough that lists 72 plants and tells which parts of the plants are poisonous and whether they are dangerous through contact or ingestion.

Quills Up! Spike’s Poison Prevention Adventure is an engaging video for preschool-aged children that includes life lessons in poison prevention including staying away from plants and pesticides.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Earth-Kind Landscaping shares a chart of the more common poisonous plants.

The University of California, Berkeley’s CalPhotos: Plants is an image database that contains over 300,000 pictures of plants to help determine if the plants you see on a daily basis are poisonous or not.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Poison Proof Your Home offers tips for preventing poisoning by plants and pesticides.

Author: Angie Bersin, Redfin

Turf Training – Train your Lawn

March 29, 2018 by Western Gardens

Welcome Friends! Glad you dropped in to learn about saving water and money by Turf Training.

You can train your dog and train your lawn too!

You cannot teach a lawn to fetch the paper or to roll over. Even though some say that it can play dead, in the winter! Now that your lawn is coming out of the dreary winter, it’s time for turf training. You can train your lawn to grow deep lawn roots, so that you can cut your water bill during the summer and your lawn can be happy during those hottest Utah summer weeks. Turf Training is more painful for the owner than the lawn itself, but by July, it is possible to be watering your lawn once every two weeks or less, depending on your soil type. I know it works; I’ve lived it. This plan is for established lawns; new turf requires other care. Follow these steps and you too can have a well trained happy green lawn.

This month (April & into May), do not water your lawn! Mother Nature is taking care of watering lawns for you. DEEP INFREQUENT watering creates deep roots and thriving healthier plants.
Aerate your lawn. Perfect time is just before one of our spring rains.
Apply the proper spring fertilizer. Follow the directions explicitly. Again, the ideal time is just before a good rain to wash it into the turf.
If you haven’t already, apply pre-emergent.
Keep your finger OFF the automatic sprinkler system. Do NOT water your lawn. You are in turf training mode. I know it is painful because the sun is shining and spring is here, but don’t do it. Your lawn is stretching its roots deep. Let them go!
In May, repeat #5 unless one of the following occurs…
- Mother Nature hasn’t watered for 3 weeks. Time to water.
- When you walk across your lawn, your footsteps don’t bounce back up. Time to water.
- When you look across your lawn, you notice a dull bluish green tone in spots. Time to water.
DEEP WATER – Put a good inch of water or so on your lawn. Placing a tuna can on your grass will let you know when you’ve watered sufficiently. All this water will soak down deep and you will train your lawn, by withholding watering cycle, to stretch deep for the water. The roots will grow deeper and in the hot summer months of July & August, your lawn won’t get as stressed out. Its roots will be cooler down deep.
Repeat steps #6, #7 and #8.

As you can imagine, it will take time to train your lawn to grow deep roots. That is why it is important to begin first thing in the spring. For established Kentucky Blue grass, you may need to follow this method for two seasons, but it can be done.

This method to train your lawn is not meant for flower beds, newly seeded lawns, newly placed sod, trees or shrubs. Learn from our experts those proper watering techniques.

Watering Lawn Methods graphic by Texas Smartscape

http://www.txsmartscape.com/design_tools/water_conservation.asp

Article submitted by Wendy P

2017 August Gardening To-Do List

August 1, 2017 by Western Gardens

Welcome gardening friends, thanks for stopping by!

AUGUST GARDENING THOUGHT….

It is hot in August and with family vacations, it is more challenging to get out in the yard. However, here are some August gardening to-do tasks that garnish some attention during this sunny and sweltering month! Choose those items that apply to your yard and skip over those that don’t. Enjoy your months of past labor and stay cool!

2017 August Gardening To-Do List

➺PEST CONTROL: Keep after those spider mites, use water hose to power-squirt them off or use insecticide; Control worms in apples, last spray; Pick hornworms off tomato plants; Watch for and treat Peach Tree Twig Borer affects apricots, cherries, nectarines, and peaches; Grasshoppers are bigger and hungrier, use Nolo bait; Yellow jackets now want meat and have established nests, may need control. Come in for organic products.

➺PLANT: Starting mid-August plant your cool fall garden veggies like kale, spinach, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. Until September 1, plant radishes!

➺DEEP WATER: Shrubs & trees

➺HARVEST: Know when to harvest vegetables at the peak of quality; Pick cucumbers regularly for better flavor and stronger production; Harvest herbs before they flower and early in the morning; Begin placing excess zucchini on neighbor’s front porch!

➺MAINTENANCE: Check sprinklers for even coverage and damaged heads. Keep up on weeding; don’t let weeds set seeds.

➺EATING YOUR GARDEN: Discover new recipes for zucchini

➺FERTILIZE: Roses, last time for the year; lawn, see below.

➺FRUIT TREES: After harvest, cut back on watering.

➺TURF/LAWN: Fertilize lawn with “Basic Training” (see our store for product). Continue to water according to the stress test. (Turn off sprinklers after good rain storms.) Expect winds to disturb sprinkler coverage.

➺GARDEN DIARY/NOTES: It’s hot out there! Now is a good time to sit and relax in the shade to evaluate your gardens. While it’s fresh in your mind, write notes of which plants you want to move around in the fall. What plants do you wish to add to your landscape in the fall or spring? Which plants need to be moved to a better location for more success next year? Make the list NOW rather than wait until winter passes and you possibly forget the details of your yard plans.

➺SHOWTIME: Exhibit your garden successes at county and state fairs. Invite family, neighbors, and friends over for some fresh strawberry lemonade in the evening whens it cools off!

➺ENJOY your yard; you’ve worked hard!

Be sure to check out September’s list!

June Gardening To-Do List

June 8, 2017 by Western Gardens

Welcome gardening friends! So glad you stopped by!

Do you love to work in your yard, but aren’t sure of all the things you should be doing? Then you’re in luck! We’ve put together a list of things to do in June!

You may not need to do everything on this list. For example, if you don’t have a cherry tree, you won’t need to worry about treating for Cherry Fruit Flies. Just pick what applies to your yard and plan out when you will do it all throughout the month!

June Gardening To-Do List

➺Plant shrubs, trees and evergreens

➺Fertilize vegetables every 4 weeks with a slow-release fertilizer, and
fertilize roses

➺Watch For Insects show a sample in a clear plastic bag to a garden expert if you suspect a problem

➺Fertilize Lawns and apply iron sulfate if needed (to green up your grass)

➺Watch For Insects like grasshoppers, potato bettle, squash bug & spider mites. If you suspect a problem, take a sample in a clear plastic bag to a garden expert.

➺Thin Out fruit trees for a better yield

➺Control Powdery Mildew on apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, nectarines,
grapes, peas, roses & euonymous

➺Treat For Cherry Fruit Fly when cherries begin to turn pink, unless already
using fruit tree spray

➺Control Peach Twig Borer once a month with spinosad

➺Watch For Slugs & Snails control with bait or other techniques

➺Adjust Sprinklers if needed, for increasing heat

➺Move And Replant Bulbs if the foliage has died down

➺Watch For Lawn Insects and treat as necessary

➺Prune & Fertilize flowering shrubs

➺Watch For Signs Of Lawn Disease take a sample to a garden expert if you
suspect a problem

➺Control tobacco budworm on geraniums & petunias

➺Control Weeds before they set & disperse seed

➺Plant Outside
Until June 15th: carrots & endive
Until July 1st: cauliflower, parsley, swiss chard, rutabaga
Until July 15th: beets & broccoli
Until Sept 1st: radishes

*This is not an exhaustive list. If we’ve overlooked something important, feel free to leave a comment and we will add it to the list!

If you’re local to the Salt Lake area, come in to any of our locations with questions or samples!

May Gardening To-Do List

May 2, 2017 by Western Gardens

Hello Gardening Friends, thanks for stopping by!

If you’re excited to work in your yard or garden, but not sure where to begin, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together a list of things to do throughout the month.

You may not need to do everything on this list. For example, if you don’t have bare patches to reseed or Spring bulb foliage to cut back, skip over those items on the list. Just pick what applies to your home and yard and plan out when you will do it all throughout the month!

May Gardening To-Do List

➺Train your Lawn – Turn Sprinklers On only when needed – Let the lawn tell you when it needs watering. Click here for more details.

➺Lawn Watering – Use a “moisture meter” probe to determine adequate moisture.

➺Water Conservation – Conserve water by watering before 10:00 am or after 6:00 pm.

➺Lawn Aeration – Its not too late if you haven’t already.

➺Set Lawnmower Height to 2½-3 inches. This allows the lawn to “shade” its soil making for a healthier lawn.

➺Lawn Broadleaf Weed Control (Liquid application) – for Dandelions, violets, etc. Weed-A-Lawn is a great product. Spot treat or apply to big areas of lawn where needed. Follow manufacturer’s instructions.

➺Lawn Crabgrass and Spurge – Second application of pre-emergent granular (6 weeks after the first application).

➺Fertilize Lawn with a weed-killing post-emergent granular fertilizer —do NOT water in—apply it to a moist lawn and let it sit for a day

➺Seed Bare Patches in Your Lawn unless you’ve already used a pre-emergent, in which case, wait until September to seed bare patches. Click here for more.

➺Weed, Thin Out & Mulch newly planted seedlings

➺Plant Your Favorite Annuals for beautiful color—most can be safely planted after frost danger has passed (some are hardy enough to be planted earlier, check with your local nursery)

➺Spring Bulbs – Remove Spent Flower Heads (aka dead-heading) and AFTER foliage fades and turns brown, cut back leaves.

➺Summer Blooming Bulbs – Plant dahlias, day lilies, and gladiolus. Click here for instructions.

➺Plant Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials – Early spring or late fall are great times to do this. Click here for tips.

➺Divide and/or Transplant Perennials – Summer bloomers: early in the month. Spring bloomers: after blooming is done.

➺Flowering Shrubs – Prune after they finish blooming.

➺Pest Control – Boxelder bugs are a nuisance. Grasshoppers are best controlled when they first hatch. Watch for Leaf roller on boxelder trees. Try to stay ahead of those slimy slugs and snails. Closely follow directions on labels when using insecticides as not to harm bees.

➺Plant Outside
Kohlrabi, parsley, parsnips, potatoes,
Until May 15th: onions & peas
After last frost until June 1st: dry beans, snap beans, eggplant, peppers
After last frost until June 10th: watermelon & winter squash
Until July 1st: cauliflower, parsley, swiss chard
Until July 15th: beets & broccoli
After last frost until July 20th: cucumbers and summer squash
Until Sept 1st: radishes

and so much more….

If you liked learning these tips from the experts, here is another good tip – come in and visit us!

Be sure to check out our June Gardening To-Do List too!

*This is not an exhaustive list. If we’ve overlooked something, feel free to let us know in a comment below!

December Gardening To-Do List

November 5, 2016 by Western Gardens

Welcome gardening friends, thanks for stopping by!

If you’re excited to work in your yard or garden, but not sure what to do in the cold December weather, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together a list of things to do throughout the month.

You may not need to do everything on this list. For example, if you don’t have Christmas lights to hang or snow to remove, skip over those items on the list. Just pick what applies to your home and yard and plan out when you will do it all throughout the month!

December Gardening To-Do List

➺Check Ice & Snow Removal Products and replenish if necessary, before it snows

➺Make Sure your snow shovels and/or snow blower are in good repair, before you need them

➺Hang Christmas Lights Outside if you decorate with them, be sure to connect only 3 strands together—more than 3 can overload the circuit

➺Decorate Indoors with beautiful poinsettia plants

➺Buy An Amaryllis Bulb as a gift for your favorite gardener

➺Buy A Fresh-Cut Tree early in the season for the best selection

➺Impress Your Friends when you tell them your well-watered fresh-cut Christmas tree is less flammable than an artificial tree

➺Watch Trees during/after big snow storms, they may need snow knocked from their branches to avoid breakage

Don’t miss the list for January!

How to Prepare the Ground for your Garden

Pest Control – the Annoying Box Elder Bug

How to Control Boxelder Bug and/or Prevent their Annoyance

Keep Kids Safe from Poisonous Plants and Pesticides – Part 1

Types of Poisonous Plants

Other common poisonous plants include:

How to Prevent Poisoning from Plants

Read More in Part 2 – What to do if your child touches or eats a poisonous plant…

Keep Kids Safe from Poisonous Plants and Pesticides – Part 2

What to Do If Your Child Touches or Eats a Poisonous Plant

Pesticide Safety

Read More – Discover several quality resources for preventing poisoning by plants and pesticides.

Keep Kids Safe from Poisonous Plants and Pesticides – Part 3 Resources

Resources for Preventing Poisoning by Plants and Pesticides

Turf Training – Train your Lawn

Welcome Friends! Glad you dropped in to learn about saving water and money by Turf Training.

You can train your dog and train your lawn too!

2017 August Gardening To-Do List

Welcome gardening friends, thanks for stopping by!

AUGUST GARDENING THOUGHT….

2017 August Gardening To-Do List

June Gardening To-Do List

Welcome gardening friends! So glad you stopped by!

June Gardening To-Do List

May Gardening To-Do List

Hello Gardening Friends, thanks for stopping by!

May Gardening To-Do List

December Gardening To-Do List

Welcome gardening friends, thanks for stopping by!

December Gardening To-Do List